
I Supplement to the 1997 Buick Regal and Century Owner’s Manuals
This is a correction to information found on page 6-40 (Regal only) and page 6-38 (Century only).
Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is on the inside of \
the trunk lid shows the correct inflation
pressures for your tires when they’re cold.
“Cold” means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three
hours or driven no more than
1 mile (1.6 km).
This is a correction to information found on page 6-63 (Regal only).
Engine Crankcase
Oil and Filter Change . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 quarts (4.2 L)
97RECKEN001
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Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Buick, and information on starting, shifting
and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you
if everything is working
properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
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Keys
Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry TrUnk
Theft
PASS-Key@ I1
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK
(P)
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While
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2-55 Windows
Horn
Tilt Steering Wheel
Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Ashtrays and Lighter
Sun Visors
Auxiliary Power Connection
Sunroof
Cellular Phone Provisions
Instrument Panel
-- Your Information System
Instrument Panel Cluster
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
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You may also customize your vehicle to activate the
Delayed Locking function as described above, or you
may choose to completely disable the function at
all
times. If disabled, the power door locks will activate
immediately when a power door lock switch
is pressed.
The enableddisabled state of the Delayed Locking
function will be toggled when you perform the
following sequence with the doors closed and the
ignition key in the
RUN position:
Press and hold the power door unlock switch. While
holding the door unlock switch, cycle the transmission
out of and back into
PARK (P). After an initial
transmission cycle, each additional cycle will toggle the
enable/disable state of the Delayed Locking function.
During this procedure, the chime will sound, providing
you with feedback.
A single chime will be heard if the
Delayed Locking function is disabled and two chimes
will be heard
if the function is enabled. When the door
unlock switch is released, the vehicle will remain in the
most recent operating mode.
The Delayed Locking function will be enabled when
your vehicle is shipped from the factory.
Disconnecting the vehicle battery for up to a year will
not change the programmed mode of the Delayed
Locking function.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the door. (Also see “Delayed Locking” in this
section for more information.)
Remote Keyless Entry
You can lock and unlock your doors or unlock your
trunk from about
3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m) away
using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied with
your vehicle.
Your remote keyless entry system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry and
Science Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
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This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry and
Science Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause
interference, and
(2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation
of the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
This system has a range of about 3 feet (1 m) up to
30 feet (9 m). At times you may notice a decrease in
range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry system.
If the transmitter does not work or if
you have to stand
closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work,
try this:
Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See the instructions that follow.
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or
right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.
If, you’re still having trouble, see your Buick dealer
or a qualified technician for service.
Operation
Press UNLOCK once to
unlock the driver’s door and
to turn the interior lamps on
(see “Illumination on
Remote Activation” in the
Index for more details).
Press
UNLOCK again
within five seconds to
unlock all the doors.
To lock all doors, press LOCK. To unlock the trunk,
press the trunk symbol on the remote keyless entry
transmitter.
The trunk will only unlock if your transaxle
is in PARK (P).
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Resynchronizing Your Remote Keyless
Entry Transmitter
After you have changed the battery in your transmitter,
you will need
to resynchronize the transmitter. To do
this, press the
LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the
transmitter together and hold for approximately seven
seconds
or until three brief horn chirps are heard. You
will also need to use
this procedure if your vehicle has
lost battery power for an extended period
of time.
Trunk
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk open
because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can come into
your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can
cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the trunk open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and
the trunk:
Make sure all windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to
its highest speed with the setting
on VENT. That will force outside air into
your vehicle. See “Comfort Controls” in
the Index.
instrument panel, open them all the way.
If you have air outlets on or under the
See C4Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
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Trunk Lock
To unlock the trunk from
the outside, insert the door
key and turn
it. You can also
press the car symbol on
your remote keyless
entry transmitter.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your Buick has a number
of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways
you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don’t do it. When
you park your Buick and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear
a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition and transaxle. And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them
in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best
to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if
you have to leave your ignition key? What if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
or glove
box.
0 Lock the glove box.
0 Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
0 Then take the door key and remote keyless entry
transmitter with
you.
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Battery Rundown Protection
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from
draining the battery in case you accidentally leave the
interior courtesy lamps, reading/map lamps, visor vanity
lamps, trunk lamp, underhood lamp or glove box lamps
on. If you leave any of these lamps on, they will
automatically turn off after
20 minutes, if the ignition is
in
the OFF position. The lamps won’t come back on
again until you:
0 Turn the ignition on,
0 Turn the lamp switch off, then on; or
Open a door.
Note that if your vehicle has less than
15 miles (25 km)
on the odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps
after only three minutes.
Retained Accessory Power (If Equipped)
With retained accessory power, your power windows,
audio system and sunroof will continue to work
up to
10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to the OFF
position and none of the doors is opened.
Mirrors
Adjust all the mirrors so you can see clearly when you
are sitting in a comfortable driving position.
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
To reduce glare from lamps behind you, pull the lever
toward you (to the night position).
To return the mirror
back to the day position, push the lever away from you.
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Storage Compartments
Glove Box
Use the door key to lock and unlock the glove box. To
open, lift the latch.
Storage Armrest (If Equipped)
To use the storage area, fold down the armrest located in
the center front seat. Press the latch on the front edge
and pull
up. Dual oversized cupholders will fold out
from within the storage armrest.
You may also have an armrest located within the center
back seat of your vehicle. It may have a storage area and
cupholders.
To open, pull up on the lever at the end of
the armrest and
lift. Two cupholders will then be
accessible and you will have access to
the storage
compartment area.
Convenience Net (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. You’ll see it
on the back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind
the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops.
The
net isn’t for larger, heavier loads. Store those in the
trunk
as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net so that it will lie flat when
you’re not using it.
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